Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

Carlos Mendoza explains lineup move that propelled Mets to needed win over Brewers

Despite all that's gone wrong for the Mets since the evening of June 13, they began Thursday trailing the first-place Philadelphia Phillies (51-36) by just two games in the National League East standings.

Reporters questioning Steelers' alleged stance on trading T.J. Watt

Watt is signed through the 2025 campaign but presumably is looking for a pay raise that would match or better the value of the four-year, $160M extension Myles Garrett signed to stay with the Browns earlier in the offseason.

Mets' Frankie Montas believes he knows reason for nightmare outing at Pirates

Starting pitcher Frankie Montas sparked concerns among New York Mets fans when he surrendered six runs on seven hits over four innings of work in a blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Jets' Sauce Gardner opens up about facing Steelers' Aaron Rodgers in Week 1

New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner recently revealed that he and former teammate Aaron Rodgers "haven’t been in touch as much" as they were this offseason before Rodgers joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, in part because Gardner's Jets will host Rodgers' Steelers in Week 1 of the upcoming season.

Stats show what Liam Coen changed to get best out of Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers offense

Mayfield produced the best numbers, to date, of his career in Coen's one season serving as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator. 

Ravens' Rashod Bateman opens up about Cowboys trade rumors

Bateman ultimately stayed put and eventually inked a three-year, $36.75M contract extension ahead of the Ravens' summer break.

Why Maxx Crosby believes Pete Carroll can turn Raiders around

Crosby detailed what Carroll brings to the organization as it looks to develop into a contender.

AL scout shares alarming takes about Yankees' Anthony Volpe

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe was compared to franchise legend and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, but now the focus is on Volpe's struggles at the plate and in the field. 

Ravens' Rashod Bateman defends Lamar Jackson over playoff record

Bateman made his thoughts on his quarterback clear.

Why Mets' Griffin Canning plans to reach out to Klay Thompson amid injury recovery

New York Mets starting pitcher Griffin Canning suffered a brutal blow when he went down with a season-ending ruptured left Achilles. 

Sauce Gardner shares big admission about relationship with Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner will go up against an old friend when he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 of the upcoming NFL season.

Would Travis Kelce consider playing for team other than Chiefs before retirement?

Kelce is in the final year of his contract and hinted during the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp in June that he could continue playing beyond the upcoming season. 

Insider shares when Steelers, T.J. Watt contract standoff may end

When can Steelers fans expect a resolution between their team and Watt?

Breece Hall sends message to critics doubting 2025 Jets

Running back Breece Hall is aware that some believe the New York Jets are in the early days of a roster reset.

Is Steelers' Mike Tomlin on the hot seat after latest offseason splash?

During the latest edition of the "You Better You Bet" podcast, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed whether or not the club could show head coach Mike Tomlin the door in January 2026 if Tomlin once again fails to add another postseason win to his career resume.

Could Giants make surprising Tommy DeVito call amid development of Jaxson Dart?

DeVito remains the only quarterback on New York's roster who has taken an in-game snap while playing under head coach Brian Daboll.

Do stats show why Rams were reluctant to commit to Matthew Stafford beyond 2025 season?

While the Los Angeles Rams and Matthew Stafford worked out an agreement in February for Stafford to remain the club's starting quarterback for the 2025, the sides are taking things one year at a time.

Steelers' T.J. Watt could make controversial move amid contract standoff

How far is Watt willing to push the Steelers in his quest for a contract extension?

Mets' Juan Soto addresses leadership style after players-only meeting

During a recent chat with Laura Albanese of Newsday, Soto opened up about his leadership style amid the Mets' poor run of form that included falling from 45-24 to 48-37 ahead of July 1.

Bills running backs coach challenges James Cook amid desire for contract extension

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook fully participated in the club's June mandatory minicamp amid his desire for a lucrative contract extension.

Analysts explain Browns' handling of Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders during springtime workouts

Multiple stories previously made it known that Sanders was "very clearly fourth on" the Browns' depth chart beneath Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Gabriel during springtime workouts. 

Could unhappy AL right-hander be answer to Mets' pitching woes?

The New York Mets fell from 45-24 to 48-37 ahead of July 1 during a brutal stretch for the club that featured both its pitching and offense producing handfuls of lackluster performances. Could they pursue an old friend to bolster their starting rotation?

Is trading T.J. Watt ahead of 2025 season 'off the table' for Steelers?

Watt is signed through the 2025 season, but he showed in 2021 he's willing to "hold in" during training camp as a way to protest not receiving an extension to his liking.

Coaching legend reacts to Buccaneers' surprising Todd Bowles move

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made one of the more surprising NFL-related moves of June when they signed head coach Todd Bowles to a contract extension.

Early 2026 mock draft paints gloomy picture for Browns

Are the Browns in for disastrous season and a whole lot of second guessing?